Golden State Warriors forward Corey Maggette (50) gets a hand on a shot by Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Boston on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. The Celtics won 109-95. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Photo: Elise Amendola, AP

Golden State Warriors forward Corey Maggette (50) gets a hand on a...

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Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis drives through the defense of Boston Celtics' Eddie House, left, and Shelden Williams during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Photo: Elise Amendola, AP

Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis drives through the defense...

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Golden State Warriors forward Corey Maggette (50) drives against Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Photo: Elise Amendola, AP

Golden State Warriors forward Corey Maggette (50) drives against...

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Boston Celtics' Eddie House, left, and Paul Pierce jump during warmups for the Celtics' NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in Boston on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Photo: Elise Amendola, AP

Boston Celtics' Eddie House, left, and Paul Pierce jump during...

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Golden State Warriors forward Mikki Moore, right, dunks against Boston Celtics' Kevin Garnett during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Boston on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

It's not common that a locker room full of guys who just lost a game by 14 points is also full of smiles, but these are uncommon times for the Warriors.

The Warriors on Wednesday night were down to half of their 15-man roster, including two players who don't yet know the team's system and one playing with an injury that needs surgery.

Yet, there they were, challenging one of the league's elite teams on the road into the second half, only to fall 109-95 to Boston in front of 18,624 at the TD Garden.

"This proves that when we all play together and stay together, we can do some damage in this league," Monta Ellis said.

For the second consecutive night, the Warriors rallied around one another but failed to pull off the improbable. After they took a 54-53 lead two minutes into the third quarter, Boston pulled away - just as Cleveland did in the fourth quarter Tuesday. The Celtics used a precision offense, stifling defense and sheer manpower to turn the one-point deficit into an 80-67 advantage by the end of the third quarter.

Corey Maggette led the Warriors with 23 points and eight rebounds, and Ellis added 18 points and four assists.

With seven healthy players and Raja Bell giving it one more run before heading to Charlotte today for surgery on his left wrist, the Warriors shot 46.3 percent. However, they were hampered by second-half mistakes and confusion from Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic, who were acquired in the Stephen Jackson trade.

"We did some very good things in the first half, and, in the second half, some of the guys just left it in the locker room," coach Don Nelson said. "You can't do that, especially when you're down to seven or eight guys."

That didn't dampen the mood in the locker room, where the Warriors were inspired by Bell's move and the increased ball movement since the trade. Bell told Nelson that he wanted to spell his tired teammates and played 23 minutes.

"It surprised the mess out of me," Ellis said.

"That showed a lot," Anthony Morrow said. "He wanted to be right there with his teammates, and that's a reflection of the kind of guy he is."

And maybe where the team is headed. The offensive chemistry appears to be improving each game.

"Jack is a scorer and he feels like he can take his man 1-on-1 at any time in the game," Stephen Curry said, referring to departed teammate Jackson. "That's his style and the kind of play that he's good at. Things slow down naturally through that, but everyone else on this team plays differently."

Opening tip: Don Nelson compared Anthony Morrow to Ray Allen, one of the league's most accurate three-point shooters. "I'd like to see them shoot a game of H-O-R-S-E," Nelson said. "Morrow doesn't have Ray's other attributes yet, but he's in that category, because he's a great shooter."

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Of note: Portland entered Wednesday's game as the league's top defensive team, ranking first in points allowed (88.1) and opponents' field-goal percentage (41.2).

Bell can't stand by

Raja Bell could no longer watch without trying to do something about it.

The newly acquired guard played 23 minutes Wednesday, despite his plan to go to Charlotte today for surgery on his left wrist. He asked coach Don Nelson to allow him to play as the Warriors' seven healthy players wore down in back-to-back games.

"It's hard to sit there and watch when you know your team is as undermanned as we are," Bell said. "It wasn't done for any other reason than I wanted to help. I felt like I had a responsibility."